THEATER

A Bunch of Different Ways I’d Like to Die. Emory drama professor Tim McDonough gives a reading of his new work in progress, a one-man show meditating on the inevitable. February 25–26. Schwartz Theater Lab.

Richard III.Shakespeare on Draught presents a free performance of the bard’s classic tragedy in a casual pub-style atmosphere. February 26 at 8 p.m. Orpheus Brewing Co.

Big Apple Circus. The New York-based company, which seeks to recreate the intimacy and artistry of the early circus, celebrates its 40th anniversary with a touring big top of classic clowns, acrobats and animals. Through February 25. Verizon Amphitheater.

SheWrites. Synchronicity Theatre, in association with Playwrights’ Center of Minneapolis and Atlanta’s Working Title Playwrights, presents a national playwriting competition for women with workshop productions of new works by Daryl Lisa Fazio, Kathryn Walat and Kimberly Monks. Through February 24.Synchronicity Theatre.

(Courtesy Pop-Up Magazine)

Pop-Up Magazine. A lineup of distinguished contributors, speakers, musicians and performers presents a “live magazine” of true stories accompanied by photography, film and original music. February 25 at 7:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The Young Vic in London broadcasts its production of the Tennessee Williams classic starring Jack O’Connell and Sienna Miller. February 22. Area movie theaters.

King Hedley II. True Colors presents a new production of August Wilson’s play about an ex-con struggling to start a new life in 1980s inner-city Pittsburgh. Through March 11.Southwest Performing Arts Center.

The Jungle Book. The Alliance Theatre presents a new family-friendly production of Rudyard Kipling’s novel adapted by Tracey Power with music by S. Renee Clark. Through March 4. Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center.

UniverSoul Circus. The exuberant, international circus celebrates 25 years with a show featuring acts from Russia, Trinidad, South Africa, Mongolia, Cuba, China and Ethiopia. Through March 11.Turner Field.

Ontario Was Here. Brittany L. Smith and Seun Soyemi star in Darren Canady’s drama about a pair of social workers who find themselves at odds about the best interests of a little boy. Through March 4. Aurora Theatre.

The Meeting. Kerwin Thompson and Jael Pettigrew perform in Jeff Stetson’s drama about the brief but historic meeting between Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. and Malcolm X. Through February 25.Marietta’s Theatre in the Square.

Looking. Onion Man Productions presents a new production of Norm Foster’s comedy about four middle-aged singles brought together by a blind date. Through February 25. Onion Man Productions.

It Shoulda Been You. Out of Box Theatre presents a new musical comedy about the clash between the families at a wedding between a Jewish bride and Catholic groom. Through February 24. Out of Box Theatre.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents a new production of the 2004 musical comedy based on the popular 1988 MGM film about con men on the French Riviera. Through February 25. Jennie T. Anderson Theatre.

The Followers: A Retelling of the Bacchae. Michael Haverty directs a new adaptation of Euripides’ The Bacchae by Margaret Baldwin featuring music by Klimchak and choreography by Ofir Nahari. ArtsATL‘s Andrew Alexander reviewed the production. Through February 25. 7 Stages.

Brave New Works. Theater Emory highlights new work and adaptations from leading playwrights with three weeks of readings and performances. Through February 25. Theater Emory.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Synchronicity Theatre presents Dwayne Hartford’s new adaptation of the children’s book by Kate DiCamillo about a vain porcelain rabbit who learns how to love. Through February 25. Synchronicity Theatre.

Rainforest Adventures. The Center for Puppetry Arts presents a new kids’ production by Jon Ludwig, Stephanie Kaskel Bogle and Raylynn Hughes about the animals that inhabit the delicate ecosystem of the Amazonian rainforest. Through March 4. Center for Puppetry Arts.

Dinosaur! The Alliance’s Theatre for the Very Young reprises its collaboration with the Fernbank Museum of Natural History for an interactive production introducing kids to the wonders of the prehistoric world. Through February 24. Alliance Theatre Black Box.

BOOKS

Nina Simone (Photo Wikimedia Commons)

Four Women. Four female poets — Erin Claridy, Theresa Davis, Nikki Gray and Ashlee Haze — pay tribute to Nina Simone and to Black History Month with an evening of readings. February 26 at 7:15 p.m. Decatur Library.

DANCE

Eva Yerbabuena (Courtesy the artist)

Eva Yerbabuena Company. The renowned dancer and her company perform traditional flamenco with a contemporary spin. February 24 at 8 p.m. Rialto Center for the Arts.

Choreolab. Kennesaw State University Department of Dance offers a presentation of experimental choreographic works developed during a three-day choreographic intensive. February 25 at 5 p.m. Chastain Pointe Studios.

FILM

The new documentary Trouble No More focuses on Bob Dylan’s gospel period. (Courtesy of Cinemax)

Trouble No More.Filmmaker Jennifer Lebeau’s new documentary debuting on cable television focuses on Bob Dylan’s gospel period. February 26 at 10 p.m. Cinemax.

Atlanta Central Library. The Central Library hosts a free screening of Kate Brown’s new documentary-short about Marcel Breuer’s brutalist design for the Atlanta Central Library. A discussion with the filmmaker and local architects Preston Stevens and Tom Ramsey follows. February 22 at 5:30 p.m. Atlanta Central Library.

Star Wars: A New Hope. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ famous score alongside a screening of the original 1977 Star Wars film. February 22–24. Symphony Hall.

13th. As part of a series exploring “Black Lives on the Small Screen,” Emory Cinematheque screens the 2016 documentary by director Ava DuVernay delving into the intersections of race and mass incarceration in the United States. February 28 at 7:30 p.m. White Hall 208, Emory University.

Black History Month Movie Series. A series of free screenings considers the many ways African Americans have impacted history. Through February 23. Scott Candler Library.

ART + DESIGN

Miya Bailey in his new space in Castleberry Hill (Image by Kaya Faery)

Expression. Atlanta tattoo studio City of Ink celebrates its 11th year by hosting a block party with work from more than 150 artists and 11 DJs as it opens the doors to Peters Street Station, a new bookstore, café and community arts center. February 23 at 7 p.m. City of Ink.

Designing Playful Cities. An interactive exhibition considers the many ways designers incorporate spaces for play and fun into urban environments. Opens February 22. Museum of Design Atlanta.

Coarse.Hi-Lo Press celebrates its second anniversary with a show of new work from Oakland-based artist Cole Solinger and Atlanta’s Y. Malik Jalal. February 24 at 7 p.m. Exhibition through March 22. Hi-Lo Press.

Hood Alchemy. AD “Kaya” Clark and Ralph “rEN” Dillard curate a group show of Atlanta photographers. Opening reception on February 24 at 7 p.m. Exhibition through April 21. South Fulton Arts Center.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Flower Show. The Botanical Garden presents its 2018 flower show with the theme Ingénue: A Toast to Georgia’s Film Industry, with thousands of plants featured throughout the juried competition in the divisions of Floral Design, Horticulture and Photography. February 23–25. Atlanta Botanical Garden.

If Not Now . . . When? A new group exhibition reflecting on issues of social justice includes work from Sheila Pree Bright, Okeeba Jubalo, Alexi Torres, Alfred Conteh, Juan Logan and Kevin Cole. Opening reception February 23 at 6:30 p.m. September Gray.

A work by Fahamu Pecou at the 18th Annual Art Papers Auction (Courtesy the artist)

Art Papers Auction. One of the most anticipated events on Atlanta’s art calendar moves downtown as Art Papers hosts its annual art auction and party. February 24. 200 Peachtree Street.

Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age. An exhibition originated by the Groninger Museum, the Netherlands, shows furniture designs from throughout the career of innovative Dutch designer Joris Laarman. ArtsATL’s Gail O’Neill interviewed the designer as the exhibition opened. Through May 13.High Museum.

Keris Salmon: We Have Made These Lands What They Are. The Brooklyn-based photographer’s work combines words and images to reflect on African American and familial history. Through April 6. Arnika Dawkins Gallery.

The Kissing of Gods: Craig Dongoski. The Atlanta-based artist shows new work aimed at depicting and documenting time. Artist talk March 3 at 2 p.m. Performance March 21 at 6 p.m. Exhibition through March 24.Whitespace Gallery.

The Future ofAmerica. A group show curated by Rebecca Dimling Cochran focuses on youth culture and features work by CYJO, Ruth Dusseault, Lauren Greenfield, Rania Matar, Forest McMullin, Bryan Melts and Darnell Wilburn. Through April 28.Hudgens Center for the Arts.

The Finnish Illusion. A new exhibition shows work by contemporary Finnish artists Ilona Cutts, Katja Tukiainen and Maria Wolfram. Through April 28.Spruill Gallery.

The Paul R. Jones Collection. The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia presents an exhibition of selections from one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of 20th-century African American art in the world, amassed over decades by the late collector Paul Raymond Jones. Through April 14. MOCA GA.

Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt. An exhibition of more than 90 objects from the ancient Egyptian collections of the Brooklyn Museum and the Carlos Museum explores wild and domestic cats and dogs, feline and canine deities, animal burial practices and luxury items decorated with feline and canine features. ArtsATL‘s Andrew Alexander reviewed the exhibition. Through November 11. Carlos Museum.

Something Out of Nothing. A show of self-taught artist Jeffrey Wilcox Paclipan’s layered mixed-media works and Sabre Esler’s sculptures and installations that seek to depict patterns of thought. Artist talk March 3 at 2 p.m. Exhibition through March 10. Chastain Arts Center.

Martha Cooper: Then & Now. A new gallery curated by Living Walls’ Monica Campana shows work by the New York street photographer. Panel discussion with Atlanta street artists on February 24 at 4 p.m. Exhibition through March 2.The Gallery.

Venske & Spanle: Panda 750. The New York- and Munich-based artists present their fifth Atlanta show at Marcia Wood. Through March 17. Marcia Wood.

Orchid Daze. The Botanical Garden’s Fuqua Orchid Center, the largest orchid center in the US, exhibits thousands of orchids in bloom during its annual celebratory event. Through April 1. Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Atlanta Gallery Collective. A temporary pop-up gallery exhibiting a rotating selection of work from 10 top Atlanta galleries extends its run through March 31. ArtsATL previewed the project as it opened in October. Through March 31. Ponce City Market.

The Ashcan School and Their Circle. Oglethorpe offers an exhibition of works by early-20th-century artists depicting gritty scenes of old New York including John Sloan, Reginald Marsh, George Luks, Robert Henri and George Bellows culled from private collections within the Atlanta metro area, the High Museum of Art and The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Through March 4. Oglethorpe Museum of Art.

Carrie Mae Weems: From Here I Saw What Happened and I Cried. Hammonds House exhibits the artist’s 1996 work based on found archival photographs of enslaved people in the American South, alongside People of A Darker Hue, Weems’ 2016 film about police violence. Through April 29. Hammonds House Museum.

Kosmo Vinyl: Cisco Kid vs. Donald Trump. The former manager of The Clash, now a visual artist, shows work from his ongoing series of images mocking the Trump candidacy and presidency. Through March 3. Different Trains Gallery.

Deborah Roberts: The Evolution of Mimi. A new exhibition of the artist’s work features more than 50 collages, paintings and hand-painted serigraphs considering girlhood, self-image and the dysfunctional legacy of colorism. Through May 19. Spelman Museum of Art.

More Than Self: Living the Vietnam War. A new exhibition highlights the Atlanta History Center’s collection of more than 250 Vietnam War-related oral histories with photographs, documents and artifacts from Atlanta veterans. ArtsATL‘s Donna Mintz reviewed the exhibition. Through March 18. Atlanta History Center.

Al Taylor: What Are You Looking At? The High Museum presents the first museum survey in the US to explore the career of American artist Al Taylor, with more than 150 sculptures, drawings and prints. In her review, ArtsATL’s Cathy Fox says the exhibition draws “overdue attention to this idiosyncratic artist.” Through March 18. High Museum.

“A Fire That No Water Could Put Out”: Civil Rights Photography. An installation of more than 40 photographs primarily drawn from the High’s permanent collection reflects on the 50th anniversary of a tumultuous year in Civil Rights history. ArtsATL‘s Kelundra Smith reviewed the show. Through April 29. High Museum.

MUSIC

Andriana Chuchman performs as Marie in The Daughter of the Regiment. (Photo Scott Suchman)

Lines, Broken. Contemporary chamber ensemble Bent Frequency presents a performance of works by John Cage, Michael Pisaro, Elainie Lillios and John Liberatore with soprano Rebekah Alexander. February 24 at 8 p.m. First Existentialist Congregation.

An Afternoon with Jennifer Barlament. The Emory alumna and current executive director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra discusses her education, career path and current position. February 23 at 2 p.m. Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.

Jonathan Biss Plays Beethoven. The pianist performs all 32 of Beethoven’s piano sonatas in a series of intimate recitals over the span of two seasons. February 28 at 8 p.m. Symphony Hall.

Rebirth Brass Band. The Grammy-winning ensemble combines traditional New Orleans brass band music, including the New Orleans tradition of second line, with funk, jazz, soul and hip-hop. February 24 at 8 p.m. Ferst Center for the Arts.

Andrew Alexander is an Atlanta-based arts journalist who covers theater, visual art, dance, music, books, fashion, film and opera. He has twice been voted "Atlanta’s Best Critic" by readers of Atlanta alt-weekly Creative Loafing in the publication’s annual "Best of Atlanta" issue, and local arts website Burnaway has dubbed him “Atlanta’s favorite critic.” He was a 2015 Fellow at the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut, and in 2014 he was selected to participate in the Arts Writing Workshop, a partnership between the International Art Critics Association and the Creative Capital-Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant Program, for a mentorship with renowned Wall Street Journal art critic Peter Plagens. He can’t dance, but he performed a supernumerary role in Nick Cave’s 2015 performance work "Rise Up, Atlanta," and soon after he curated and DJ-ed the dance performance event Honey, You Know Where to Find Me presented by the Lucky Penny in June of 2015. He loves art, travel, bourbon and old records.